If you take advantage of the public holidays to spend a long weekend in Annecy, here are the outdoor activities that you could consider doing to discover the Venice of the Alps and its surroundings, from the lakes to the mountains, via the rivers and the city centre. city.
Activities in Annecy
A Segway tour to discover the city
Discover Annecy in a fun and original way during a great Segway tour. Accompanied by a guide, you will explore the city’s emblematic sites, such as the banks of the lake, the old town and its canals, the Gardens of Europe and the Pâquier. Throughout this two-hour journey, your guide will share fun anecdotes and cultural information about the different places and monuments encountered. This walk is perfect for spending a pleasant time with family or friends, while discovering the most beautiful corners of Annecy.
A private wine and cheese tasting
Although this activity does not take place outdoors (it’s the only one on the list, I promise), staying in Annecy without exploring its cheese heritage would be unthinkable! Enjoy an exceptional culinary experience, led by a sommelier and by Pierre Gay, Meilleur Ouvrier de France Master Cheesemaker. During this two-hour tasting, you will have the opportunity to taste the emblematic flavors of the region, thanks to a selection of cheeses and wines. You will start with an in-depth presentation of Savoie wines, enriched with anecdotes about local vineyards. Then, you will discover the history of the region’s farms, before moving on to tasting: five cheeses and five wines carefully chosen by Pierre Gay for their quality and their representativeness of local traditions.
On the menu, perfect pairings like Apremont with Chevrotin des Alpes, Altesse with Reblochon, Chignin Bergeron with Beaufort d’Alpage, Mondeuse with Tome des Bauges, and again Chignin Bergeron with Bleu de Termignon.
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An outdoor escape game in the Old Town
Explore Annecy through an outdoor escape game, completely independently. Perfect for teams of 1 to 4 players, this adventure allows you to follow a course, solve puzzles, discover secret passages, and visit the city’s main historical monuments. Delve into Annecy’s past, from the 13th to the 19th century, and meet historical figures while learning details about the city. The scenario takes you to 1297, where a sword with mysterious powers is offered to the Count of Geneva. Your mission is to go back in time to find this sword before it falls into the wrong hands.
After your purchase, a link to start the game on your smartphone will be sent to you. The adventure will begin at Quai de la Tournette/Quai Bayreuth in Annecy, and you can start the game as soon as you are ready.
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A pedal boat to enjoy Lake Annecy
Annecy is famous for its lake, so why not explore its waters by pedal boat? When you arrive at the rental point, you will receive a briefing on the safety instructions to follow. You will then be equipped with all the necessary safety equipment before embarking on a walk on the lake. You can choose the length of your getaway from one, two, or three hour options. This is the ideal opportunity to admire the Veyrier coast, the Bout du Lac national nature reserve or the Roc de Chère in Talloires, three magnificent natural sites.
You can also bring a picnic aboard the pedal boat, but make sure not to leave any trash behind. Also note that the waters can still be cool in May, so be careful if you choose to swim!
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Learn to stand-up paddle on the lake
Just like the pedal boat, the paddle offers an ideal way to enjoy the calm waters of the lake and to stroll in complete serenity. This activity is accessible to everyone, including children, and you can rent equipment adapted to your level for a duration varying from one hour to a whole day. Before setting out, make sure the weather is favorable and the lake is calm to make it easier to balance. It is important to note that wearing a life jacket is compulsory and subject to a fine in the event of non-compliance, but rest assured, it will be provided by the rental companies.
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Activities around Annecy
A canyoning session at Angon Canyon
Enjoy an outing to the Angon Canyon, one of the most popular places for canyoning near Annecy. Accompanied by an experienced guide, you will venture into the canyon, crossing a series of natural obstacles. Angon Canyon is renowned for its different levels of difficulty, making it a perfect place for those who want to try abseiling. With its 8 waterfalls, you will have the opportunity to practice abseiling several times, including an impressive descent of 60 meters. And the icing on the cake, the activity ends with a magnificent panorama of Lake Annecy.
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The Rocher de la Chaux via ferrata
Saint-Jean d’Aulps, a charming mountain village in Haute-Savoie, is the ideal place to discover via ferrata. Among the most famous in France, the Rocher de la Chaux via ferrata offers a spectacular view of the village, the Roc d’Enfer and Mont-Blanc. After a briefing on safety rules and equipped with the necessary equipment, you will start with a 20-minute walk to reach the starting point of the via ferrata. The ascent will then begin for around two hours! With a guide, you will take the Elephant’s Head route, a relatively accessible but impressive route, winding through steep and slightly overhanging walls, all perfectly equipped.
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A cani-hike at Mont Caly
Whether you are with family or friends, don’t miss the opportunity to experience this hike at Mont Caly, one of the most beautiful spots in France. This activity is particularly suitable if you are an experienced walker and a dog lover. Inspired by Inuit traditions, which used sled dogs to move through snowy expanses, this activity is also accessible in spring or summer. During this 1.5 hour walk, you will explore the Mont Galy area in the Les Gets resort, accompanied by sled dogs.
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A nature tour on an all-terrain scooter
Located in Marigny-Saint-Marcel, just 20 minutes from Annecy, a team of specialists invites you to discover a new generation of electric all-terrain scooters. Offering self-guided tours lasting 1h30, you will explore the Rumilly plain, a jewel in the heart of Haute-Savoie characterized by its forests and lakes. These electric scooters, which can reach a maximum speed of 25 km/h, will allow you to effortlessly travel through the magnificent Alpine landscapes and take full advantage of the region’s slopes.
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A rafting trip on the Dranse
Discover the thrill of rafting near Thonon-les-Bains, an experience accessible to everyone, as long as you know how to swim. You will navigate on a river, the Dranse, lined with vegetation and imposing rocks, all under the supervision of a state-certified instructor. Two courses are available depending on your preferences and your level:
- The classic descent : Ideal for ages eight and up, this descent combines dynamic rapids and quieter sections, for a total duration of two hours, including one hour spent on the water.
- The special descent : Suitable for those over 14 years old, this option is designed for thrill-seekers, with more technical and intense rapids. Allow a total of 2 hours 15 minutes, including 1 hour 15 minutes on the water.
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